Itinerary
- Day 1
International Departure to Delhi
Your international flight departs for Delhi, India, with routing through the country to eventually reach Bhutan. The tour operator can arrange your path via Kolkata if that works better for your schedule.
- Day 2
Arrival in Delhi
You'll land at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and transfer to your hotel where check-in begins at noon. If your timing allows, you can arrange a city tour of Delhi, or book an extra night if you're arriving very early or coming in the evening before.
Optional Activities
- City tour of Delhi
Landmarks Indira Gandhi International Airport - Day 3
Delhi to Paro, Paro Dzong and Kyichu Lhakang
After breakfast you head to the airport for one of the world's most spectacular flights to Paro, landing in a narrow valley that requires experienced pilots and clear weather but rewards you with incredible Himalayan views. Once through immigration, your local guide drives you to the hotel. Later you visit Paro Dzong, a fortress-monastery from 1646 that still houses regional administration and monks, then check out Kyichu Lhakang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples built in the 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Flight from Delhi to Paro
- Visit to Paro Dzong (Ripung Dzong)
- Visit to Kyichu Lhakang temple
Landmarks Paro Dzong (Ripung Dzong) Kyichu Lhakang - Day 4
Tiger's Nest Monastery and Ta Dzong
You'll tackle a challenging 5-hour hike to Tiger's Nest, a Buddhist monastery clinging to a rock face 900 meters above the Paro Valley. Legend says Guru Rinpoche flew here on a tiger in the 8th century to spread Tibetan Buddhism, and the steep climb offers worth-it views and monastery exploration. In the afternoon, you visit Ta Dzong, Bhutan's national museum housed in a 16th-century fortified building that's preserved art and cultural objects for 50 years.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tiger's Nest (Taktsang) monastery hike
- Visit to Ta Dzong (National Museum)
Landmarks Tiger's Nest (Taktsang) Ta Dzong (National Museum) - Day 5
Trek to Shana
This trekking day starts leisurely as you hike through Paro Valley along the Paro River, passing Tiger's Nest from below and traditional farmhouses with red rice, chili, potatoes and millet fields. After roughly 5 hours and 17 km, you reach Shana village at 2,860m where your camping crew has set up your first campsite.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided trek from Paro Valley to Shana
Landmarks Paro River - Day 6
Trek into Jigme Dorji National Park to Soi Thangthanka
You start early for a longer trek into Jigme Dorji National Park as Paro Valley narrows. The trail goes through dense oak, pine and juniper forests while you gain considerable altitude, with views of the valley and snow-covered Chomolhari peak at 7,326m. After 7-8 challenging hours, you camp at Soi Thangthanka at 3,610m.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided trek through Jigme Dorji National Park to Soi Thangthanka
Landmarks Jigme Dorji National Park Chomolhari - Day 7
Trek to Jangothang
Heading north along the Paro River, you enter a wide valley with steep slopes and snow-covered peaks. You'll pass villages where yak herds live at this altitude, and Chomolhari peak stays visible throughout the day. After roughly 5-6 hours and 19 km, you arrive at your campsite in Jangothang at 4,080m.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided trek from Soi Thangthanka to Jangothang
Landmarks Paro River Chomolhari - Day 8
Acclimatization Day at Jangothang
Today you have choices. If you want to go higher than 5,000 meters, you can take a day trip attempting to reach 5,000 or even 5,500 meters. Otherwise, use this as a rest day at camp to acclimatize before continuing your trek.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Optional high altitude day trip from Jangothang
- Day 9
Trek via Bonte La Pass to Soi Yaktsa
The day starts with a short steep climb to reach a glacial lake, then you enter a hidden valley where you meet yak herders living in tents woven from yak hair. After another steep climb, you cross Bonte La pass at 4,890m where lunch offers sweeping views that might reach all the way to Kanchenjunga at 8,586m, Earth's third highest peak. A steep descent takes you to Soi Yaktsa at 3,800m for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided trek via Bonte La Pass to Soi Yaktsa
Landmarks Bonte La Pass Kanchenjunga - Day 10
Trek via Takhung La and Thombu La Back to Shana
Himalayan peaks stay with you all day. You ascend along the eastern side of Soi Yaktsa valley gaining broader views of the range, pass Takhung La at 4,520m and descend into the grassy valley of Thangbushong where more yak herder settlements appear. A final steep ascent to Thombu La at 4,380m shows you the Paro Valley again plus all-round views of Bhutan's mountains one last time. A steep descent returns you to Shana at 2,860m, completing your circuit.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided trek via Takhung La and Thombu La back to Shana
Landmarks Takhung La Thombu La Thangbushong Valley - Day 11
Trek Descent to Paro and Hotel Return
You descend southward down Paro Valley, following the river you climbed a week ago. You detour to Gunitawa, a settlement where army personnel and their families live, then get picked up from Drugyel Dzong and drive to your hotel for a relaxing evening back to civilization after a week of trekking.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided trek descent to Drugyel Dzong
- Visit to Gunitawa settlement
Landmarks Drugyel Dzong Gunitawa Settlement - Day 12
Paro to Thimphu
You drive to Thimphu at 2,320m, Bhutan's capital, a 1.5-hour bus journey with a brief stop at Chuzom where the Paro and Thimphu rivers meet and Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese stupas stand together. Thimphu blends modernity with traditional culture and serves as the religious, cultural, economic and political center of Bhutan, featuring no traffic lights but a Ministry of Happiness. After hotel check-in you enjoy a city tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Chuzom (river confluence)
- City tour of Thimphu
Landmarks Chuzom - Day 13
Thimphu to Paro to Delhi
You take the bus back to Paro for your return flight to Delhi, watching the mighty Himalayan mountains through which you trekked pass below your window. You'll reflect on the remarkable experience as you fly over the peaks, then stay overnight in Delhi.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Return flight from Paro to Delhi
- Day 14
Departure from Delhi
You transfer to Delhi airport for your return or onward journey. The tour operator can arrange individual extensions in India such as trips to Agra and Jaipur, Kolkata, or Goa for beach relaxation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extension to Agra and Jaipur
- Extension to Kolkata
- Extension to Goa for beach relaxation
